Sunday, May 1, 2011

NOVEL GLIMPSES (4)--WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS, THE KING'S MISTRESS, BE: EMBRACING THE MYSTERY



Novel Glimpses is my feature for mini-reviews...really just a fancy name for them! The only difference than with my traditional mini-reviews is that I will include my Goodreads rating, something I do not do with my regular reviews. Feel free to participate...just credit me and link back if you do. (The titles are linked back to Goodreads, if you would like to read the book description).


What The Night Knows by Dean Koontz
finished on April 5, 2011

My Goodreads rating: 4 stars
The glimpse:  I've been a fan of Koontz for a long time.  Saying that, it has been years since I've read one of his books (even though I own a fair amount of his titles in my personal library).  I really enjoyed this one.  It had that level of creepiness that I've come to expect from Koontz.  The murderer is one of the worst I've read in a long time.  The level of evil in this character is unfathomable.  When that evil becomes supernatural is when it really gets scary.  This rating might have been five stars, but the ending was a tad too pat and I think the first half of the book was much more exciting than the second half.  In all though, this is a book I would recommend, especially to Koontz fans.

Qualifies for the following challenges:
Monthly Mix-Up Mania 
Horror and Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge
Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
Spring Reading Thing

BE: Embracing the Mystery by Shirlee Hall
finished April 12, 2011

My Goodreads rating: 3 stars
The glimpse:  Are you a very spiritual person?  Do you also like a lot of new age wisdom mixed in with your spirituality?  If you answered yes to one or either of these questions, then this book might be for you.  Personally, I'm not a hugely spiritual person.  I believe in God and I pray, but I'm not really....what can I say?...like this book.  I can see where she was going with it and I did like several of her insights on becoming who we want to be.  For instance, she emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, in ourselves and others, in order to become more fully realized as our true selves.  I believe this...I have to.  Mistakes I have made in recent years have really taken their toll on me mentally and I am trying to learn to forgive myself so I can move on and realize a more fulfilling life.  Also, chapters 26 and 27 are excellent in the way she gives specific guidelines for accomplishing these goals.  I wish the entire book would have been more like that.  In all, if you are spiritual or are looking to add some spiritual qualities to your life, check this book out.

Challenge:
Spring Reading Thing

The King's Mistress by Emma Campion (audio book)
finished April 28, 2011

My Goodreads rating: 4 stars
The glimpse:  This was such a great book.  My first real foray into the life of King Edward III and his mistress, Alice Perrers and it was quite enthralling.  Campion does an excellent job of portraying the plight of a woman in the 14th century.  Women had so very little choice of who they would marry.  And then, if the king wants you as his mistress, well then you better bow to his wishes.  Alice had no choice in any aspect of her life...everything was decided for her.  You could say that she was carried along by fate.  But she remained a strong woman in her own right and had many children, who were her life.  I really admired her and look forward to reading more about her.  Emma Campion is the world's foremost scholar on Alice Perrers.  I can see why she was able to write such a wonderful book.

Qualifies for the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge
Monthly Mix-Up Mania 
Historical Fiction Challenge
2011 Audiobook Challenge
Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge




FTC disclaimer:  BE: Embracing the Mystery was provided to me for review by the author.  I did not receive any monetary compensation and the review was my honest opinion.

2 comments:

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  1. I have to read the new Koontz - I love that author ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have a shelf full of nothing but Koontz books - have you read the Odd Thomas series? SO good. The King's Mistress is on my TBR pile as well - I know that I will love it!

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